SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

1

: an internationally recognized signal of distress in radio code ‧ ‧ ‧ - - - ‧ ‧ ‧ used especially by ships calling for help

2

: a call or request for help or rescue

Examples of SOS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Elsewhere on the albums chart, SZA’s chart-topping SOS moves up a spot to Number Two, with 47,000 units earned. —Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025

The pop superstar previously featured on the acoustic remix of the track, originally released on SZA’s 2022 sophomore album, SOS. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 24 May 2025

May 21, 2025 ON THIS WEEK’S episode of Dinner SOS, test kitchen director and host Chris Morocco is joined by hostess with the mostest and test kitchen editor Kendra Vaculin to help callers plan a menu for their hosting needs! —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 May 2025

With features like live location tracking and SOS alerts, Helen was able to relinquish control without surrendering peace of mind. —Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for SOS

• bless
• chess
• cress
• dress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse

Kids Definition

SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

ˌes-ə-ˈwes

1

: an international radio code distress signal used by ships and aircraft calling for help

2

: a call for help

Medical Definition

SOS

abbreviation

if occasion require; if necessary

—used in writing prescriptions

Etymology

Latin si opus sit